Bipartisan U.S. Senate Bill Targets Russian Energy Purchases

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill on Tuesday aimed at imposing sanctions on Russian energy purchases.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators unveiled a bill on Tuesday that would impose sanctions on any country or citizen purchasing Russian energy despite a lack of cooperation from major powers such as China and India.

The bill, which would apply a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other unspecified products if the Kremlin fails to engage in meaningful peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.

It would also propose sanctions that would prevent U.S. citizens from purchasing Russian sovereign debt and prohibit U.S. financial institutions from investing in entities tied to the Russian state.

The legislation, which is expected to face difficulties in passing due to a lack of cooperation from major powers such as China and India over secondary sanctions and the challenge of imposing such measures on the EU, includes provisions for presidential waivers for national security reasons.

"This legislation would impose sanctions on any country or citizen who continues to purchase Russian energy. We are not out of time for a negotiated solution, but we must begin to put some serious economic pressure on Russia to come to the table in good faith to end this war. If they prefer to continue this senseless conflict, then we must impose these sanctions to cut off the revenue that is fueling their war machine," said Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is spearheading the bill.

"If they don't want to come to the table and if they want to continue this war, then we're prepared to take these additional steps to starve the Russian bear and bring an end to this conflict."

The bill, which is expected to have broad bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House if presented for a vote, is likely to face difficulties passing due to a lack of cooperation from major powers such as China and India over secondary sanctions and the challenge of imposing such measures on the EU.

A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. There is no timeline yet for a vote on the legislation.

The bipartisan effort follows a threat by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil in response to President Vladimir Putin’s demands to replace Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of peace talks.

Moscow has responded by stating that Putin remains open to talks with Trump and reiterated that Ukraine had violated a U.S.-mediated agreement to halt attacks on energy facilities.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that the two leaders spoke on Sunday and discussed the peace process.

"President Putin is open to continuing communication with President Trump on this topic. Of course, the main task is to try to resolve the situation in Ukraine peacefully and diplomatically," Peskov said.

"During the conversation, the topic of the continuing shelling of the Zaporozhskaya nuclear power station by the Ukrainian side was also touched upon. This is a direct violation of the understandings reached by the leaders of Russia and the United States."

The Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, came under renewed shelling on Monday, according to officials in Kyiv and Moscow. Both sides accused the other of carrying out the attack.